The Super Eagles of Nigeria have wrapped up their final preparations ahead of tomorrow’s highly anticipated Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifying match against the Mediterranean Knights of Libya. The match, scheduled to take place at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, promises to be an intense battle as both teams vie for crucial points to secure their place in the tournament.
Both teams were active today with final training sessions and pre-match press conferences, setting the stage for tomorrow’s clash. The Libyan national team held their press conference in the afternoon, around 4:30 PM, with head coach Nasser Al-Hadiri expressing deep respect for Nigeria’s footballing pedigree.
Speaking to the press, Al-Hadiri praised the Super Eagles’ overall quality, highlighting that Nigeria boasts a wealth of professional talent playing in top leagues around the world. “All Nigerian players are professionals playing in the best leagues in the world,” said the Libyan coach. He emphasized that the absence of star striker Victor Osimhen, who is ruled out of the game, would not diminish the strength of the Super Eagles. “Nigeria is a very big team, not reliant on just one player. Even though Osimhen is out, the whole team of Nigeria is a strong team, not just a player.”
Following their press engagement, the Libyan squad conducted their final training session at the match venue. The team appeared confident and focused, despite acknowledging the formidable challenge that Nigeria poses.
Drama unfolded shortly before the Super Eagles’ scheduled 5 PM press conference. The Nigerian team’s media session was delayed by an hour after concerns were raised by the Libyan team over the presence of Nigerian journalists during their training session. This prompted an intervention by a CAF (Confederation of African Football) official, causing the delay and a subsequent reshuffle in the day’s schedule.
Eventually, the Super Eagles’ press conference took place at 6 PM, with head coach Austin Eguavoen and team captain William Troost-Ekong addressing the media. Eguavoen, who has been guiding the Super Eagles through their AFCON qualification campaign, reassured fans that the team is fully prepared for tomorrow’s game. He emphasized that the primary goal is to secure all three points against Libya.
“We are ready, and our focus is on winning tomorrow’s game. The players are in high spirits, and we are only thinking about getting the job done,” Eguavoen said confidently.
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong, a seasoned defender with vast experience in international football, used the press conference to voice his support for the inclusion of Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) players and local coaches in the national team setup. He expressed his belief that recognizing and integrating homegrown talent is crucial for the development of Nigerian football.
“It’s important that we continue to give opportunities to players from our own league and recognize the value of indigenous coaches. We have great talent here in Nigeria, and it’s important we acknowledge that,” Troost-Ekong remarked.
Following the press conference, the Super Eagles held their final training session at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium. The entire squad participated in the session, with all players appearing fit and ready for the encounter. Media personnel were granted access to observe the first 20 minutes of training, before the session was closed to the press.
Key players such as Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze, and Alex Iwobi were seen working hard, while Chidera Ejuke, who has been in excellent form, also looked sharp as the team fine-tuned their tactics. With the absence of Osimhen, there is heightened expectation on other forwards like Taiwo Awoniyi and Iheanacho to step up and lead the attacking line against Libya.
As the Super Eagles prepare for the 5 PM kickoff on Friday, the stakes are high. A win against Libya will solidify Nigeria’s standing in the AFCON qualification table and bring them one step closer to securing a place in the prestigious tournament. Eguavoen’s side will be looking to put on a dominant display in front of their home fans and carry the momentum forward in what has been a competitive qualification campaign so far.
Libya, meanwhile, will be aiming to pull off an upset and complicate Nigeria’s path to AFCON 2025. Despite being underdogs, Al-Hadiri’s side is expected to put up a strong fight and take advantage of any lapses in the Super Eagles’ defense.
With both teams well-prepared and ready for battle, all eyes will be on the Godswill Akpabio Stadium as the Super Eagles look to soar above the Mediterranean Knights and secure all three points.
